FORTALEZA poster: Isadora’s face blends into the beach where she plays football. Première Brasil 2026 selection.

FORTALEZA

A short documentary by Michel Stolnicki

The dream is big.So is what she leaves behind.

At 13, Isadora earns a place on the under-17 squad at Fortaleza Esporte Clube and leaves Rio for Ceará. Far from home and her friends, she is determined to keep playing and make Brazil’s national team.

Brazil is getting ready to welcome the world. Isadora is getting ready to claim her place in it.

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Isadora plays football barefoot on a beach in Fortaleza, between the beach huts and the sea.

The next place to cheer
is the cinema.

World premiere at
Rio Film Festival

In competition in
Première Brasil

October 4 and 5Rio de Janeiro · 2026

Bring someone who cheers with you. Choose your screening and join us at the cinema.

World premiere · Guest session

Estação Claro Gávea · Theaters 4 and 5

Part of the “Dragões” shorts program · Limited ticket availability

Screening with discussion · Limited free admission

Cine Odeon · CCLSR

Part of the “Dragões” shorts program · Limited ticket availability

See screenings and tickets at Rio Film Festival

Official schedule subject to change.

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Isadora talks about her life and football in a scene from the documentary.
The game goes on

After filming, new paths opened. In July 2025, already playing in Vasco’s youth academy, Maria Isadora was called up to Brazil’s under-15 women’s national team.
Read the story on Vasco’s website · 17.07.2025 ↗

Mirela Rodrigues, who also appears in the film, has her football journey featured by Palmeiras.
Meet Mirela on the club’s website ↗

Meet Isadora.

She dreams of the national team.
And misses playing football
with her friend.

Isadora’s story is now coming to the big screen. And the game goes on.

From Rio to CearáMap of Brazil showing Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza, cities in Isadora’s journey, connected by a dotted line.FortalezaRio de Janeiro
From Rio to Ceará.

The team behind the film.

Written and directed by
Michel Stolnicki
Cinematography
Carlos Cardona
Music
Felipe Mafra
Produced by
Luiz Miler
Edited by
Luiz Andrade
Sound and re-recording mix
Andrés Marthe
Hand-In-HandGigantic StudiosOld Box
View full credits
Dialogue editing
Tristan Baylis
Sound effects
AJ Miyatake, Karla Morán
Audio post-production
Jeff Spivack, Mehar Gujral
Sound post-production
Gigantic Studios, NYC
Assistant editor
Gabriel Malka
Poster design
Berkcan Okar
Production services
Hand-In-Hand

Featuring Maria Isadora Soares, Laiane Saraiva de Araújo, Deise Lopes Soares, Roberto Felix, Ruth Soares, André Rocha and Mirela Rodrigues.

Brazil · 2025 · Documentary · 15 minutes · Color

Download full credits (PDF)

Behind the scenes.

The crew films the players at Fortaleza Esporte Clube, with a camera and microphone in the foreground.
The crew at work.Between conversations and training, the story takes shape.

FORTALEZA in the press.

View all coverage (18)
Official Rio Film Festival announcement
Sand-covered hands rest on a football, with the sun in the background.

The dream is to wearBrazil’s jersey.

FIFA Women’s World Cup · Brazil 2027

24.06.2027World Cup kick-off

June 24, 2027 · FIFA ↗

Cheering for cinema.

There is more cinema to discover. Meet other films in this year’s program.

See all films at the Rio Film Festival